Abu Dhabi to introduce ladies-only taxis by March end

The service could be availed by booking over the telephone, and as the name suggests the taxis will be exclusively for women.

To begin with, about 70 taxis will be introduced for women and kids (less than 10yrs of age). Thereafter with increase in demand, the taxi regulatory authority in the emirate will increase the number of taxis.

There will be no change in fares, and will be the same as for the general taxis. The existing seven franchises will contribute 10 taxis each to this fleet, said Abdullah Sultan Al Sabbagh, General Manager of Trans AD, the taxi regulatory authority in the emirate.

The taxis will be linked to the Trans AD communication center, which will monitor them to ensure safety of women passengers.

Clarifying the difference between the present women-driven taxis and ladies taxis, the official said that currently the emirate has about 50 women taxi drivers. But in women-driven taxis, even men with their families are allowed to travel. However in ladies taxis, men will not be allowed to travel even with their families.

The distinguished design of ladies only taxis will be revealed later. The official clarified that all women drivers in these taxis are required to wear a uniform.

An official of a taxi company said that women taxi drivers are safe drivers. An official of a taxi company said about 45 women taxi drivers who have not caused any accident during the past two years have been employed as drivers in the taxis.

Posted on 29/1/2010

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